This is a special abbreviated edition of
Malankara World Journal during the Nativity Vigil for the Mother of
God. We hope to have one edition of the journal on each day of the
vigil.

In the first article, Late
Lamented Pope John Paul II, a contemporary Marian scholar talks
about the role of Virgin Mary in the formation of Church after the
death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Mary's humility,
service and prayer were emulated by the early Christians.

The second feature is an excerpt from an
article/sermon by Dr. Self. When we think of the angelic salutation
of Mary, we think how lucky she might have been for being "favored
by God." But Mary knew otherwise. Like Jesus said later, Christian
Life is not a bed of roses, but a wreath of thorns. The favor shown
by God is by strengthening us to face adversities in life. Read and
see if you agree.

The Blessed Virgin is the perfect realization of the Church's holiness and its model.

In every age, Mary is the loving 'Mother of the Church', who prays for the
outpouring of the Spiritís gifts and leads the disciples closer to Jesus.

1. After pausing in the previous catecheses to reflect more deeply on the
identity and mission of the Church, I now feel the need to turn our gaze to the
Blessed Virgin, she who is the perfect realization of the Church's holiness and
its model.

2. I would like to take a reflective look at Mary just as, at the Church's
beginning, she is described in the Acts of the Apostles. At the beginning of
this New Testament text, which describes the life of the first Christian
community, and after recording the names of the Apostles one by one (1:13), Luke
states: "All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with
the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren" (1:14).

The person of Mary stands out clearly in this picture; she is the only one, with
the Apostles, mentioned by name. She represents one face of the Church,
different from and complementary to the ministerial or hierarchical aspect.

3. In fact, Luke's statement mentions the presence in the Upper Room of some
women, thus showing the importance of the feminine contribution to the Church's
life from the very beginning. This presence is closely linked to the
perseverance of the community in prayer and harmony. These traits perfectly
express two basic aspects of women's specific contribution to ecclesial life.
Better suited to outward activity, men need women's help to be brought back into
personal relationships in order to progress towards the union of hearts.

Mary's role had notable Importance

"Blessed among women" (Lk 1:42), Mary eminently fulfils this feminine mission.
Who better than Mary can encourage all believers to persevere in prayer? Who
better than she can promote harmony and love?

Recognizing the pastoral mission entrusted by Jesus to the Eleven, the women in
the Upper Room, with Mary in their midst, Joined in their prayer and, at the
same time, witnessed to the presence in the Church of people who, although they
have not received that mission, are likewise fully-fledged members of the
community gathered in faith in Christ.

4. Mary's presence in the community which was waiting in prayer for the
outpouring of the Spirit (cf. Acts 1 :14), calls to mind her part in the
Incarnation of the Son of God by the work of the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 1:35). The
Virgin's role in that initial stage and the role she plays now, in the
manifestation of the Church at Pentecost, are closely linked.

Mary's presence at the first moments of the Church's life is remarkably
highlighted by comparison with her previous, very discreet participation during
Jesus' public ministry. When the Son began his mission, Mary remained in
Nazareth, even though this separation did not exclude significant contacts such
as the one at Cana. Above all, it did not prevent her from taking part in the
sacrifice of Calvary.

In the first community, however Mary's role assumes notable importance. After
the Ascension and in expectation of Pentecost, Jesus' Mother is personally
present at the first stages of the work begun by her Son.

5. The Acts of the Apostles stress that Mary was in the Upper Room "with his
[Jesus'] brethren" (Acts 1:14), that is with his relatives, as has always been
the Church's interpretation. It was not so much a family gathering as the fact
that under Mary's guidance, Jesus' natural family came to be part of Christ's
spiritual family: "Whoever does the will of God", Jesus had said, "is my brother
and sister, and mother" (Mk 3:35).

On the same occasion, Luke explicitly described Mary as "the mother of Jesus"
(Acts 1:14), almost as if he wished to suggest that something of the presence of
the Son ascended into heaven has remained in the presence of the mother. She
reminded his disciples of Jesus' face and, with her presence in the community,
is the symbol of the Church's fidelity to Christ the Lord.

The title of "Mother", in this context, proclaims the attitude of thoughtful
closeness with which Our Lady followed the Church's life. Mary was to open her
heart to the Church to show the marvels done in her by the almighty and merciful
God.

Mary is a teacher of prayer for Christians

From the very beginning, Mary carried out her role as "Mother of the Church":
her action encouraged understanding between the Apostles, whom Luke describes as
being of "one accord", far from the disputes that had occasionally arisen among
them.

Lastly, Mary expressed her motherhood towards the community of believers not
only by praying to obtain for the Church the gifts of the Holy Spirit necessary
for her formation and her future, but also by teaching the Lord's disciples
about constant communion with God.

She thus became the Christian people's teacher of prayer, of encounter with God,
a central and indispensable element, so that the work of the Pastors and the
faithful would always have its beginning and its inner motivation in the Lord.

6. From these brief remarks it can clearly be seen how the relationship between
Mary and the Church is a fascinating comparison between two mothers. It clearly
reveals Mary's maternal mission and the Church's commitment ever to seek her
true identity in contemplation of the face of the Theotokos.

Source: Reflections on Mary's role in the Church, General Audience of Pope John
Paul II on September 6, 1995.

Have I Got News for You!

by Rev. Dr. William L. Self, Alpharetta,
GA

God sends help for the long haul, but not the short run. He helps us by
strengthening us, not by pampering us. And let's see how he did it for Mary.

The angel promised Mary that she would be favored of God, but yet her baby of
Nazareth would grow into a man who must go into a life which she soon discovered
would be one of danger. The more powerful people regarded him with hatred. One
day the baby would be taken by the priests and rulers of his own nation, accused
before a Roman governor, led to a hilltop amongst a jeering crowd, and there to
hang on a cross. That was a career which actually would follow the salutation of
the angel. That was the favor of God?

It is noted that the angel said to Mary, "Do not be afraid, for you have found
favor with God." What kind of favor was this? It was not unbroken happiness. She
plainly did not get that. If she had measured God's favor by the presence of
unbroken happiness, then she would have had to say that it didn't add up. But
the truth was deeper than that. For, you see, our culture thinks that God's
favor is ease and pleasure and prosperity. In essence, some of this may come
from God's favor, but in reality God's favor may have been revealed in things
that were desperately hard. But by facing them, she had been strengthened. God
gave her character to face life.

God's favor for us may allow some frustration. This throws it back upon us and
requires us to develop reserves of courage and endurance which otherwise we
might never have known.

God's favor may come through a collision with the evil forces of this world,
which will batter and bruise us and almost break our hope.

God's favor for us may be more richly bestowed, not in easy times, but in great
challenges, when the real faith is put to a test.

People may think that they are fortunate because they have never been called
upon to face great difficulty, but they may end with nothing to show but
emptiness. It is the lives that have been given something great to do and to
bear, even though they have been bruised in the process, which have truly known
the favor of God. The good news is that God is in the difficulty with us,
helping us to develop in the process. We are not left alone to endure. Indeed,
God's favor does not bring the kind of peace the world expects. God is more
concerned with our holiness than our happiness.

Source: Excerpted from a sermon on Luke 1:26-38 delivered on December 18, 2005